Tech News & Commentary

Google seen joining smartwatch party with Apple, Samsung

Google (GOOG) reportedly has joined Apple (AAPL) and Samsung in the race to develop and commercialize a smartwatch.

Google's smartwatch is being developed by its Android product team, the Financial Times reported Thursday. It's separate from Google's other wearable computer project, the Google Glass headset, the FT says.

Of the three companies, only Samsung has publicly confirmed that it's working on a smartwatch.

If they follow through with products, they'll join startups like Pebble and I'm Watch in the emerging space.

Smartwatches are designed to work with smartphones such as Apple's iPhone and Google Android-based handsets. The wristwatches display data obtained through Bluetooth wireless connections with the smartphones.

U.K.-based Juniper Research predicts that wearable computing devices like smartwatches will be a $1.5 billion industry by 2014. The market is being driven by consumer spending on health, fitness and multi-functional devices, Juniper said in a report last fall. Last year, the market generated $800 million in sales, mainly related to sport and fitness products from Nike (NKE), Fitbit and others.

With all the interest in smartwatches, I want to know what's keeping Timex, Omega and Rolex.

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